Tondo kids honored during SMC-FIBA event

MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of students from Tondo, Manila who served as mascots or player escorts during the FIBA World Cup were honored during a ceremony that also marked the fourth year of San Miguel Corporation’s Better World Community Center, a food bank and learning institution that caters to over 500 families in the area.

The students from General Vicente Lim Elementary School received FIBA kits containing headbands, shoes, t-shirts, shorts, socks, basketballs as well as products from San Miguel Purefoods during the FIBA Wanda Little Champions event organized together with the San Miguel Foundation.

The event was also attended by FIBA local organizing committee (LOC) officials Eric Altamirano and Wanda Little Champions Project Lead Josh Paulite, Magnolia Hotshots coach Chito Victolero, and Hotshots forward Rome De la Rosa.

“We are very happy with the participation of Better World Tondo and the Gen. Vicente Lim Elementary School,” said Altamirano. “On behalf of the FIBA LOC, we thank San Miguel Foundation for supporting the FIBA Wanda Little Champions program.”

Victolero, whose two young sons were among the children who walked with players from the various World Cup teams during entrance parades, expressed his gratitude for the rare opportunity accorded the grade school boys and girls.